Free parking will carry on – but only for one hour
FREE car parking will continue in Bridgend – but will go down to one hour instead of two.
CF31 BID and Bridgend County Borough Council have teamed up to ensure that free car parking will continue in the town centre when a Welsh Government scheme ends this week.
From April 1 drivers will be able to park for up to one hour free at the Rhiw multi-storey car park.
The arrangements, which are being jointly funded by the BID group and the council, will be in place for the rest of the year before being reviewed again in January 2019.
They follow the end of a year-long Welsh Government parking scheme that helped to double the number of vehicles using the Rhiw every week.
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for education and regeneration, said: “As many as 4,000 vehicles a week took advantage of the Welsh Government’s free parking scheme at the Rhiw, so I am delighted that we have been able to work in partnership with CF31 BID to ensure that drivers can continue to enjoy up to an hour’s free parking.
“The original scheme recognised that town centres are being affected by factors such as changing lifestyles, internet shopping and greater competition, and was intended to enable local authorities to test if free car parking might benefit local trade.
“I’d like to thank CF31 BID for their support in helping ensure that the free car parking can continue to benefit the town centre.”
Justin Jenkins, CF31 BID manager, said: “The BID levy payers have seen the benefits of this pilot scheme, and CF31 BID are thrilled to be able to work in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council in continuing a free parking offer.
“This is just one of the many examples of how CF31 BID are helping to create a brighter Bridgend.”
Parking is also free all day every Sunday at council-run town-centre car parks including the Rhiw multi-storey, which opened in November 2016 as part of a larger redevelopment incorporating 28 new apartments and a commercial unit.
Visit www.bridgend bid.com to find out more about how CF31 BID is working with partners such as Bridgend County Borough Council for the benefit of Bridgend town centre.